This part of my series of tips for beginners to Cycling.
Reasonable Bikes Start from £150-200.
For a very small investment, you can get a decent road worthy bike. It won’t be competitive in the Olympics, but, you don’t need any of those top end features. Consider how much you spend on bus fares / petrol / buying a car, and you will realise that bikes are really good value. (see: cost per mile of cycling)
Don’t be stingy and try riding that hand me down old mountain bike you found in the back of a garage. A decent well set up bike, will give a much more enjoyable ride.
Also, even for commuting don’t buy the cheapest bicycle shaped objects you find in Asda. It may be £70, but, is generally a false economy.
For a beginner bike, I really recommend the local bike shop. As you will be able to take it back for first service, and they can help with best set up. Just be clear of your budget and make sure they don’t oversell you.
If you want to start cycling outside town on basic leisure / touring rides, I would be wanting to get a £300-£400 road bike. But, for commuting, bikes in the range of £150 or greater will be fine for a start.
Good Value Bikes Under £300
Hybrid bikes generally make the best introduction to cycling. They are robust, not flashy and tend to be cheap because they are mass produced. For example, single speeds and fixed tend to be more expensive, even though they have less components.
The Dawes Discovery 101 or 201 Hybrid Bike. The Dawes Discovery is a popular series of hybrid bike. It comes with lightweight Aluminium frame. The 101 series is the bottom of the series, with basic groupset. But, it will be fine for the average commuter or first time cyclist.
Claud Butler 100 Hybrid Bike. Similar to the Dawes Discovery, this is another good hybrid bike with basic set up / aluminium frame / 18 gears / Shimano STI shifters – more than adequate for beginner to cycling.
See also: Best Hybrid Bikes
Single Speed Under £300
A single speed bike under £300 will use most basic components. But, at least with single speed, there are less things to go wrong.
I tested this Raleigh Flyer – on sale for only £230 – £240. It’s not the lightest single speed by a long way. But, it looks pretty good, and if you’re on a strict budget, it’s a good place to start. See: Review: Raleigh Flyer
- Raleigh Oxford - A cheap town bike for under £200
Second Hand Bikes
Second hand bikes can be a good way to get even better value. It depends where you buy from. You need to be comfortable. In Oxford we have the Oxford Cycle Workshop which specialise in reconditioned second hand bikes. These are good value.
If you do buy second hand -
I’m 14 and I have been really into cycling since the summer of 2009 I go atleast 35 miles everyday afterschool
I bought a trek 520 out of my dads friend garage for 50 us dollars probably somewhere around 20 pounds. It is an amazing bike made in 2005
I don’t think th guy realized how much of a good deal he gave me
but what I’m getting at is if you look in the right garge you cab get a really nice road bike.
I road 82 miles on it this past sunday.